need advice on hydraulic cylinder

[dicker]

I stored my JD 48 backhoe outside in my backyard under a tarp with the outriggers in the down position.
I noticed that it looks like a cross country skier skied over the chrome piston and left some minor scratches on it.
Will this cause the piston to eventually leak. Should I repair it and if so how or should I just leave it alone.

Thanks

Richard

 

[DmansPadge]

You probably won't have any problems. I've seen some pretty deep nicks and scratches in them before with no trouble. Can you feel the scratches? If you can't you have no problem. I would just make sure there are not any burrs that could tear the seals. Either way I wouldn't worry about it because if the rod is so messed up it causes a leak you would need a new complete cylinder instead of rebuilding that one.

I'm sure it will be just fine.

 

[btolle]

You should apply a liberal coat of grease if you are going to leave a hydraulic cylinder extended for a long period of time.

Tarps are nice for covering things but they can also trap moisture and speed the rusting process. When you cover something with a tarp you need to leave enough space between the tarp and the ground to allow ventilation. Just throwing a tarp over something and holding it down with rocks or bricks is a prescription for rust.

Feel the underside of the tarp on different days. It it feels damp you may be causing more problems than you are solving.

Bill Tolle

 

[dicker]

Thanks for the advice. Yes, I can feel the scratches.

I was wondering if I should attempt to buff them.

Richard

 

[DmansPadge]

Richard, I wouldn't worry about buffing them but if you want to it can't hurt. As long as there are no protruding burrs it'll be fine. Like I said previously, you really don't have anything to lose. I would just use it and see because once the shaft is scarred up enough to cause problems you are looking at a whole new cylinder anyway.

BTW, Btolle's advice is a good way to go for long term storage.

Good luck!

 

[DmansPadge]

Another thought on storing the BH. If you don't have to have the outriggers in the down postion to store it, you could leave them up and chain or strap them together to prevent them from leaking down and that would keep the shafts from being exposed.

 

[JerryG]

If you can feel the scratches "and" they have extended above the level of the rod, you need to take a piece of emery cloth to them. If they are they will damage the seals.

 

[Junkman]

If you can feel them, get a very fine grit emery paper or crocus cloth and lube the cylinder with oil before you start to polish it. I would use a side to side motion pulling down on both sides of the paper, like polishing shoes. The oil will help to lubricate it. If the scratch is raised and high, a very fine file first will help to eliminate it. The rod is chrome plated and is quite resilient to damage. You just want to get the raised part down so it doesn't tear the seals. Each time it is retracted into the bore, a little oil will come out in the scar, but it will last you into the next lifetime if you take care of it properly now. Left untreated, it will damage the seals and the cylinder will be trash in a couple of years with massive leaks. For the future, cover the cylinders well with grease and put the backhoe away where it won't get "run over".

 

[rambler]

I would certainly do as Junkman says, that is the way to go. You don't want to ignore the issue, any raised bump will wear the seals out. any time you can feel the nick, there will be a groove & raised sides. Can't do much for the groove, but you need to remove the raised parts to prevent seal damage. Carefully.

Also if it is an off the shelf size, then you can replace the whole cylinder if the rod is damaged. But most metal shops worth hiring can replace a rod for cheaper than a whole new cylinder if it is anything expensive, as an OEM from JD would be. I'd have to disagree with DmansPadge on this all around.

--->Paul